Martin Farndale
8 June 1881 to 11 September 1943 

The Tidkinhow Line 

 

 

 

 

 

FAR00571

 

 

He was an ironstone miner for a while before emigrating to Canada in 1905 after which he became a cattle farmer in Alberta

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Home Page

The Farndale Directory

Farndale Themes

Farndale History

Particular branches of the family tree

Other Information

General Sir Martin Farndale KCB

Links

 

 

Dates are in red.

Hyperlinks to other pages are in dark blue.

Headlines of Martin’s life are in brown.

References and citations are in turquoise.

Context and local history are in purple.

Geographical context is in green.

 

 

Overview

 

See also the Farndales of Tidkinhow

THE MARTIN FARNDALE STORY.

Information from the Trochu Tribune and Kneehill MD History.

Martin Farndale was born in September 1881 in Kilton.

He emigrated to Canada in 1905, and proceeded west to Alberta, settling in Trochu District. He homesteaded SW ¼ -6-33-24, near Paulson School, and began raising cattle. He was considered an excellent cattleman.

In 1929, Martin married his cousin Ruth Farndale, who also came from Yorkshire.

Martin Farndale had a keen interest in public affairs. He served as Councillor of Stauffer Municipality for a number of years and was also active in school affairs, serving as a trustee on the school board at Paulson. Martin was a staunch Liberal.

Martin had a keen sense of humour and delighted in telling yarns on himself. On one occasion, Martin was caught in a raging blizzard late at night. He was hopelessly lost as visibility was nil, and to keep from straying further he followed the fence line. After walking some distance, Mr Farndale chanced on some buildings. Hoping to arouse the occupants he yelled and hammered on the door of the house before he discovered that it was his own home.

Martin Farndale was a man true to his own convictions. He staunchly followed parliamentary procedure. However, when serving as a councillor, if a mistake was made he was not afraid to rectify the situation.

Martin Farndale died in October 1943 at the age of 63. Ruth Farndale then returned to live in Yorkshire in 1947.

 

Kilton Thorpe

 

1881

 

Martin Farndale was born on 8 June 1881 at Kilton Thorpe, the son of Martin and Catherine Jane Farndale of Kilton Thorpe, (FAR00364) farmer. He was baptised at Brotton on 31 July 1881 (PR and family knowledge). Martin Farndale’s birth was registered for Guisborough District in the third quarter of 1881 (GRO Vol 9d page 464). Like his elder brother and sister he was baptised at Brotton Parish Church where the entry in the Parish Register reads: "Martin, son of Martin and Catherine Jane Farndale of Kilton Thorpe, farmer, baptised 31 July 1881."

Tidkinhow

 

1891

 

The 1891 Census for Red Lion Howe, Stanghow listed Martin Farndale, 46, farmer and ironstone miner; Catherine Farndale, 35; John Farndale, 12; Elizabeth Farndale, 11; Martin Farndale, 9; George Farndale, 8; Catherine J Farndale, 6; James Farndale, 5; Mary F Farndale; William Farndale, 0.

 

1895

 

Like the rest, Martin went to school at Charltons until he was 11. He then went to Boosbeck Council school until he was 14. That would be in 1895. He then helped on the farm, and worked as a miner until 1905 when he went to Canada, the first of many members of the family to do so

 

1901

 

The 1901 Census for Tidkinhow Farm, Stanghow listed Martin Farndale, head, 55, farmer; Elizabeth L Farndale, 21; Martin Farndale, 19, ironstone miner underground; Mary H Farndale, 12; William Farndale, 10; Grace A Farndale. 7; Dorothy A Farndale, 6.

 

1902

 

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Martin Farndale, Tidkinhow, about 1902 aged about 20

 

Alberta, Canada

 

1905

 

Martin was the first of the family to emigrate to Canada, and he arrived in Western Canada in 1904, and he homesteaded on the Trochu land to farm at Paulson and raised cattle.

 

In 1905 there is a record of Martin Farndale and Harry Farndale (aged 8) (must be FAR00688) travelling to USA, aged 24.

 

Martin is remembered as not quite as strong as the rest. He was a great favourite of his mother. When he decided to go to Canada, he could not bring himself to tell his mother so he simply left home and wrote to his sister Lynn from Liverpool:

"June 16th 1905

Friday morning

Dear Sister

Just a few more lines. I left Liverpool on Thursday night for Canada on SS Tunisian. I have had a good night's sleep. I have booked second class on board and is very comfortable. We are passing by the north of Ireland this [ ]. The ship makes a call here to take on more passengers. This letter will be sent on from here. I shall not be able to post any more letters till I land at yond side. I am enjoying the trip well so far. I hope mother will not fret if she get to know before I write. I will send a letter to her as soon as we land. I am going to do best . I am going a long way up the country. I am to Calgary in Alberta. It is chiefly cattle farming there. There is several more young men on ship that are going out from there can catch. But I have not meet any lady that is my way yet. You must try and cheer mother up. There is nothing for her to trouble about. I am as safe here as riding on the railways in England. I shall be about other 7 days on the water. I will send a few letters off before I start my land journey. I have not time write more. I want to up on deck. We are just about to land at Londonderry I believe.

I must leave hoping you are all well.

M Farndale
."

 

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From the passenger list for SS Tunisian 1905

And five days later:

"Letter cannot be posted for England till we land so you will know if you get this that I landed all right.

Wednesday June 21st 1905

Dear Sister

I shall soon get my sea trip over now. Land was sighted today Newfoundland I believe. Every body is beginning to lighten up now. But it will be Saturday morning before we land at Montreal.

I have enjoyed voyage up to now. I had one day sea sick. It was awful. I don't want that any more. We have had few very cold days. It is always cold in this part of the Ocean. We saw a great iceberg this morning. It was a great sight. This is a great rock of ice. So you must know we were passing through a cold front. This is a big vessel about two hundred yards long I should think. Every body seem quite happy. There is a smoke room and a music room. And the best of everything to eat. Third class seems to be rough quarters. But they are in another part of the ship. There will be about eight hundred passengers on board all together. Some men pulling long faces when the vessel left Liverpool. I never thought anything about it. But I was like the rest. I watched England till it disappeared out of sight. I hope mother will not trouble about me. I will be all right. I thought it was my best thing to do. I had nothing to start in business with in England. I shall be able to get about £50 per year and board with the farmers out here. If I can stand the climate. And I can settle. I shall be able to start farming for my self in about two years
.

Thursday

All letters are to be posted tonight on board so that they will get away as soon as we land. They don't [ ] to a few hours when they land. So all has to be ready.

First and Second class are having a Grand On Board tonight. We shall be quite lively.

I now finish. Hoping you are all well. And remain your affectionate Bro.

M Farndale
."

Martin was 24 years old. These are interesting letters, for they start a whole branch of the Farndale family, still living north of Calgary.

Martin would go first to Calgary, where he took some land from the Canadian Pacific Railway near Trochu. He built a small wooden house, a shack, a began farming.

 

1908

 

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Martin Farndale – photograph taken in Calgary on 28 August 1908

 

1910


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The boys of Tidkinhow in about 1910, with Martin, now in Canada, inset.

 

John, James, Alfred, William, George and inset Martin


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The original house that Martin built                                                                      Martin's shack taken when it was still standing in 1981                               Martin and Ruth’s house 10 miles west of Trochu

 

Martin homesteaded on Trochu town line, but in 1929 he bought a farm at Paulson and raised cattle. In 1929, he married Ruth Farndale, his cousin, also from Yorkshire. They had no children. He became well known on the Trochu council and took a great deal of interest in education. He did much for the Trochu community. Martin died, aged 62, in 1943, and is buried at Trochu. His wife, Ruth, returned to England and lived for many years with her family. He was remembered as an upright, intelligent man who was very interested in people and very good with children. He helped his brothers, George, Jim and Alfred, and his sisters, Kate and Grace, to settle in their turn near Trochu, in Huxley. His work for the early days in Trochu is still remembered (Family knowledge).

 

1920

 

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Martin at sea on a journey to and from England in about 1920                                                        Martin at Tidkinhow in about 1920                         Martin Farndale on a visit to England from Canada, taken about 1920 when he was aged about 40

 

1927

 

In 1927 Martin travelled on the Ausonia (Furness Line) from Quebec to London.

 

1928

 

In 1928, Martin, 40, unaccompanied, a farmer, travelled from Liverpool to Halifax, Canada on the Athenia.

 

1929

 

In 1929, Martin  married his cousin Ruth Farndale, also from Yorkshire, but they had no children. He became well known on the Trochu Council and took a great interest in education, doing a great deal for the community. He died in 1943 aged 63 and is buried in Trochu. He visited England once. (Our Huxley Heritage).


In 1929 Ruth Farndale of Craggs Hall, 42, unaccompanied, travelled from Liverpool to Montreal.


Martin Farndale, married Ruth Farndale, (FAR00619), his first cousin, in Trochu, Canada in 1929 (
Family knowledge and MR)

 

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Ruth Farndale                                                    Martin, early days in Canada


They lived near Trochu in Alberta. They had no family.


There is more information about his life at Martin Farndale and at the Farndales of Tidkinhow

1931

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The Canadian Farndales at the Kinseys in about 1931 (Martin, Jim, Kate, Grace, George, Alfred)

 

1940

 

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Martin Farndale and Howard Holmes, husband of Grace nee Farndale Holmes (FAR00659) at the Holmes Ranch in Alberta in about 1940.


1943

Martin Farndale of Trochu, Alberta Canada died in Calgary aged 62 years, on 11 September 1943. He is buried at Trochu, Alberta, Canada (DC).

In a newspaper article: MARTIN FARNDALE PASSES AWAY. The news, Saturday evening, of the passing of Mr. Martin Farndale in the General Hospital, Calgary, came as a distinct shock to many in the Trochu district, although he had been under medical care for over a year. The late Mr Farndale, who was one of the district's real old timers, was born in Guisborough, Yorkshire in 1881. Coming to calendar in 1905 he came West to Alberta, and settled in Trochu district, taking up a homestead on the town line, which he has farmed ever since. His marriage took place in 1929. Always taking a keen interest in public affairs, he served as Councillor of Stauffer municipality for a number of years and was active in school affairs serving as a trustee. Highly respected by all who knew him his passing is a severe loss to the district. Surviving are his wife, Ruth, at home, two sisters, Mrs W Kinsey, of Trochu, and Mrs H Holmes, of Huxley. A brother, George Farndale, of Three Hills, another brother, senator James Farndale, of Nevada, also two brothers and three sisters in Yorkshire. Reverend T H Chapman, Rural Dean, of Carbon, conducted the funeral services, which were held in the United Church, Trochu, Tuesday afternoon, with burial taking place in the Trochu cemetery. The pallbearers were Messrs G R Hogg, F Kinsey, E Roach, M and J Sitala, O Bayes.

 

Card of Thanks. We wish to thank all neighbours and friends for their kindness, also for the lovely floral tributes sent during our recent bereavement. Mrs RUTH FARNDALE.

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Martin Farndale’s grave at Huxley, taken in 1973

 

1974

 

Ruth Farndale, died at Northallerton District, Yorkshire in early 1974 (DR).